Pullover garment hanger assembly having handle with flexible tip

ABSTRACT

A hanger assembly allows a user to hang a pullover garment from its top and remove the pullover garment quickly and easily without damaging it. The hanger assembly includes a handle to which is joined an elongated flexible holder. The handle has a hook portion including a flexible tip and a holder carrier portion including first and second opposed coupling members. The flexible holder is operationally coupled for slidable engagement with the first and second coupling members to allow the flexible holder to transition between a lengthwise compressed state and a partly relaxed state to hang the garment and between the partly relaxed state and a break-free state to remove the garment without stretching its neck opening. The flexible tip prevents the hanger assembly from jumping off a hanger rod as the user pulls down on the pullover garment to remove it.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/509,058, filed Jul. 18, 2011.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Aria Enterprises, Inc. A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR §1.71(d).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an upper body garment hanging apparatus, and more particularly to a hanger assembly for hanging a pullover garment from its top.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Pullover garments such as T-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, polo shirts, rugby shirts, henley shirts, and sleeveless shirts (e.g., tank tops) are well-known. For example, T-shirts—which are relatively comfortable, simple, light, and affordable —are very popular, especially among young people.

One way to keep pullover garments in shape without substantial wrinkling when they are not worn is to store them on hangers. However, currently available hangers are not generally well-designed for pullover garments. The specific shape and rigid structure of known hangers often leave users frustrated when they want to hang pullover garments from the top. For example, to avoid substantial stretching of, and consequent damage to, the neck opening, a user will often insert a hanger through the bottom opening of the pullover garment and maneuver the hanger into position, which routine is time and energy consuming. Moreover, the user risks damaging the pullover garment when the hanger is inserted through the bottom opening. When the user wishes to remove the pullover garment from the hanger, the user must either remove the hanger through the neck opening and risk substantial stretching thereof or maneuver the hanger out the bottom opening.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Preferred embodiments of a hanger assembly allow a user to hang and remove a pullover garment quickly and easily without damaging it. According to one embodiment, the hanger assembly for hanging a pullover garment from its top includes a handle to which is joined an elongated flexible holder.

The handle has a holder carrier portion and an hook portion. The holder carrier portion includes first and second support arms having distal ends at which are formed respective first and second opposed coupling members. The hook portion is positioned medially between the first and second coupling members.

The elongated flexible holder, when joined with the handle to form the hanger assembly, is operationally coupled for slidable engagement with the first and second coupling members. The flexible holder has holder ends and a lengthwise profile, a cross-sectional profile, and a length. The lengthwise profile is configured to define a bow shape in a rest state. The cross-sectional profile is configured to achieve, in response to a holder compressive applied force, bending of the flexible holder in a lengthwise compressed state and thereby bring closer together the holder ends to enable insertion of the holder ends through the neck opening to the interior of the pullover garment, and, in response to a garment removal applied force, buckle-free bending of the flexible holder in a lengthwise break-free state and thereby bringing closer together the holder ends to enable removal of the holder ends through the neck opening from the interior of the pullover garment. The length of the flexible holder is selected to achieve, in response to removal of the holder compressive applied force and a consequent relaxation of the flexible holder from the compressed state to a partly relaxed state, a spreading apart of the holder ends to allow the flexible holder to span beyond each of the first and second coupling members a distance that enables the pullover garment to hang on the flexible holder, with the flexible holder following the shoulder line profile of the pullover garment.

Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hanger assembly composed of a handle and flexible holder according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the handle of the hanger assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the hanger assembly of FIG. 1 shown in a rotated orientation with magnified views of two opposed coupling members at the distal ends of the handle to illustrate the complementary shapes of the coupling member apertures and the flexible holder received by them.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hanger assembly of FIG. 1, with its handle and a flexible holder disassembled.

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are frontal views of various alternative embodiments of the handle of the hanger assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8A is a sectional view of the flexible holder taken along lines 8A-8A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8B is a sectional view of an alternative flexible holder, in which the flexible holder of FIG. 8A is modified to include two spaced-apart metal wires running along its length and within its interior.

FIGS. 8C and 8D are cross-sectional views of alternative flexible holders that are formed of stamped spring steel, respectively, with and without hemmed edges.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C show, for the hanger assembly of FIG. 1, the flexible holder embodied in, respectively, uniform, nonuniform inwardly tapered, and nonuniform outwardly tapered longitudinal cross-sectional profiles.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the hanger assembly of FIG. 1 held in a user's hand and preparatory to the user applying an upwardly directed compressive force to the flexible holder.

FIG. 11A is a frontal view of the hanger assembly of FIG. 1 before a T-shirt has been placed on the hanger assembly.

FIG. 11B is a frontal view of the hanger assembly of FIG. 1 with the flexible holder urged to a lengthwise compressed state for insertion into the interior of a pullover garment when the user squeezes his hand around the handle and the flexible holder to apply a compressive force to the flexible holder to bend it.

FIG. 11C is a frontal view of the hanger assembly of FIG. 1 inserted in the interior of a T-shirt, with the T-shirt resting on the flexible holder in a partly relaxed state.

FIG. 11D is a frontal view of the hanger assembly and T-shirt of FIG. 11C showing a user applying to the T-shirt a downwardly directed force to pull the garment off the flexible holder and thereby remove the T-shirt from the hanger assembly.

FIG. 11E is a frontal view of the hanger assembly of FIG. 1 after the T-shirt of FIG. 11D has been removed from the hanger assembly.

FIG. 12 shows, for the hanger assembly of FIG. 11B, the bending of the flexible holder and the complementary shapes of the coupling member apertures and the flexible holder in the lengthwise compressed state.

FIG. 13 shows, for the hanger assembly of FIG. 11D, the break-away bending collapse and the complementary shapes of the coupling member apertures and the flexible holder in the break-free state.

FIG. 14 shows enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional views of the hanger assembly of FIG. 1, illustrating its flexible holder with solid lines in the partly relaxed state of FIGS. 11A and 11B, with phantom lines in the longitudinal compressed state of FIGS. 11B and 12, and with phantom lines in the break-free state of FIGS. 11D and 13.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are, respectively, side elevation and perspective views of a hanger assembly composed of a handle and flexible holder according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the handle of the hanger assembly of FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are, respectively, top plan and bottom plan views of a first alternative flexible holder of the hanger assembly of FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIG. 18C is a sectional view of the first alternative flexible holder taken along lines 18C-18C of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 18D is a sectional view, shown with a magnified view, of the first alternative flexible holder taken along lines 18D-18D of FIG. 18A.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are, respectively, top plan and bottom plan views of a second alternative flexible holder of the hanger assembly of FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIG. 19C is a sectional view, shown with a magnified view, of the second alternative flexible holder taken along lines 19C-19C of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 19D is a sectional view, shown with a magnified view, of the second alternative flexible holder taken along lines 19D-19D of FIG. 19A.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the hanger assembly of FIGS. 15 and 16 shown in a rotated orientation to illustrate T-shaped hooks as coupling members received by corresponding slots in either of the alternative flexible holders of FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 18C and FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 19C.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the hanger assembly of FIGS. 15 and 16 with either of the alternative flexible holders urged to the lengthwise compressed state for insertion into the interior of a pullover garment.

FIGS. 22A, 22B, and 22C are side elevation views of the disclosed hanger assembly constructed with a flexible hook tip and shown, respectively, resting on, in process of placement on, and in process of removal from a hanger rod.

FIGS. 23A, 23B, and 23C are side elevation views of an otherwise conventional hanger assembly constructed with the disclosed flexible hook tip and shown, respectively, resting on, in process of placement on, and in process of removal from a hanger rod.

FIGS. 24A, 24B, and 24C are side elevation views of the disclosed hanger assembly constructed with an opposing restraint on the holder carrier portion and shown, respectively, resting on, in process of placement on, and in process of removal from a hanger rod.

FIGS. 25A, 25B, and 25C are side elevation views of an otherwise conventional hanger assembly constructed with the disclosed opposing restraint on the holder carrier portion and shown, respectively, resting on, in process of placement on, and in process of removal from a hanger rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the above-listed drawings, this section describes particular embodiments and their detailed construction and operation. The embodiments described herein are set forth by way of illustration only and not limitation. Skilled persons will recognize in light of the teachings herein that there is a range of equivalents to the example embodiments described herein. Most notably, other embodiments are possible, variations can be made to the embodiments described herein, and there may be equivalents to the components, parts, or steps that make up the described embodiments.

For the sake of clarity and conciseness, certain aspects of components or steps of certain embodiments are presented without undue detail that would be apparent to skilled persons in light of the teachings herein or would obfuscate an understanding of more pertinent aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hanger assembly 10, according to one embodiment, for hanging a pullover garment (such as a T-shirt 12 shown in FIGS. 11B, 11C, and 11D) from its top. Although the following disclosure refers to T-shirt 12, hanger assembly 10 may be used with other types of pullover garments such as sweaters, sweatshirts, polo shirts, rugby shirts, henley shirts, and sleeveless shirts (e.g., tank tops). Hanger assembly 10 includes a handle 14 and an elongated flexible holder 16 that are designed to allow a user to hang and remove T-shirt 12 quickly and easily without damaging it.

Handle 14 includes a hook portion 18 and a rigid holder carrier portion 20. Hook portion 18 may be an integral part of holder carrier portion 20 to establish a unitary structure for handle 14. Handle 14 may be made of any suitable material such as, but not limited to, plastic, wood, or metal. Hook portion 18 is positioned at and extends generally in an upward direction from a center region 22 of holder carrier portion 20 to allow hanger assembly 10 to suspend from a support member (not shown) such as a closet rod. Hook portion 18 and holder carrier portion 20 are preferably shaped to provide an aesthetically pleasing design for handle 14. In one example, as shown in FIG. 1, holder carrier portion 20 resembles an arch having an apex from which curved hook portion 18 outwardly grows to form a tendril-like junction between hook portion 18 and holder carrier portion 20.

Holder carrier portion 20 includes rigid support arms 24 in the form of arc sections that extend in opposite directions from center region 22 and establish a curved shape for holder carrier portion 20. Support arms 24 include at their respective distal ends 26 opposed coupling members 28 that allow flexible holder 16 to be joined with and slide relative to handle 14. As shown in FIG. 2A, coupling members 28 include apertures 30 that are configured to receive and allow movement of flexible holder 16 relative to support arms 24 to achieve operational coupling for slidable engagement with coupling member 28. Apertures 30 are defined by a convex segment 32 and a concave segment 34 that are opposed to each other and interconnected by opposed convex lateral segments 36. Alternatively, segments 32, 34, and 36 may have other shapes including a substantially flat profile. In one example, segments 32, 34, and 36 define a closed perimeter (e.g., a contiguous ring) for apertures 30. However, segments 32, 34, and 36 need not form a closed perimeter for apertures 30. For example, one or more of segments 32, 34, and 36 may include a gap (not shown) so that segments 32, 34, and 36 do not completely surround cross-sectional profile 38 of flexible holder 16 when it is joined to handle 14.

As shown in FIG. 2B, segments 32, 34, and 36 are compatibly shaped with a cross-sectional profile 38 (FIG. 8A) of flexible holder 16 to accommodate transitional bending of flexible holder 16 between a lengthwise compressed state 40 (shown in FIGS. 11B, 12, and 14) and a partly relaxed state 42 (shown in FIGS. 2B, 9A, 10, 11A, 11C, 11E, and 14). Partly relaxed state 42 as used herein defines a state in which handle 14 and flexible holder 16 are joined together and flexible holder 16 is not in lengthwise compressed state 40. In other words, partly relaxed state 42 encompasses a state in which T-shirt 12 is not hanging on flexible holder 16 (FIGS. 1, 2B, 9A, 10, 11A, 11E, and 14) and a state in which T-shirt 12 is hanging on flexible holder 16 (FIG. 11C). Skilled persons will recognize that a lengthwise profile 44 of flexible holder 16 in partly relaxed state 42 will vary somewhat, depending on whether T-shirt 12 is hanging on flexible holder 16.

Arc sections 24 define a circular segment having a segment length 46 and a segment radius 48 as shown in FIG. 3. Segment length 46 is selected to be shorter than a length of a semicircle having radius 48 to thereby prevent failure of flexible holder 16 to relax from lengthwise compressed state 40 to partly relaxed state 42 after a user removes a compressive force applied to it. Segment length 46 is selected also to be sufficiently long to bring rounded holder ends 50 of flexible holder 16 sufficiently close together in lengthwise compressed state 40 for insertion into a neck opening 52 of T-shirt 12.

Holder carrier portion 20 need not be of curved shape as previously described. For example, FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are frontal views of alternative shapes of holder carrier portion 20. For each of the alternative shapes of FIGS. 4-7, the distal ends 26 and their corresponding coupling members 28 are positioned at a selected distances d₁ and d₂ from, at a selected angles θ₁ and θ₂ relative to, center region 22. Distances d₁ and d₂ and angles θ₁ and θ₂ may be different or the same for different shapes. Moreover, d₁ and d₂ are preferably equal in length but may be different, and angles θ₁ and θ₂ are preferably the same angle but may be different. Distances d₁ and d₂ and angles θ₁ and θ₂ are selected to bring rounded holder ends 50 sufficiently close together in lengthwise compressed state 40 for insertion into neck opening 52 of T-shirt 12. Moreover, distances d₁ and d₂ and angles θ₁ and θ₂ prevent failure of flexible holder 16 to relax from lengthwise compressed state 40 to partly relaxed state 42 after a user releases a compressive force applied to it.

Flexible holder 16 is made of material that is flexible and resilient so that it yields to a lengthwise compressive force, but relaxes back to partly relaxed state 42 after being compressed. Moreover, flexible holder 16 is sufficiently strong to support the weight of T-shirt 12 yet sufficiently flexible to bend slightly downward to substantially conform to a shoulder line profile 54 (FIG. 11C) of T-shirt 12. FIG. 8A shows a first example, in which flexible holder 16 is made of molded plastic. FIG. 8B shows a second example, in which flexible holder 16 of FIG. 8A is modified to include two metal wires 56, such as piano strings, molded in plastic. FIGS. 8C and 8D show cross-sectional views of third and fourth examples of alternative flexible holders formed of stamped spring steel. FIG. 8C shows a flexible holder 16 _(s1) that is formed of stamped spring steel with hemmed edges 58 providing smooth end surfaces, and FIG. 8D shows a flexible holder 16 _(s2) that is formed of stamped spring steel without hemmed edges.

When it is disassembled from handle 14, flexible holder 16 assumes a rest state 60 in which the lengthwise profile 44 of flexible holder 16 is in the form of a bow shape as shown in FIG. 3. When it is coupled with handle 14 and in partly relaxed state 42, flexible holder 16 assumes a centered position with respect to coupling members 28. The centered position of flexible holder 16 is established by stop members 62 that protrude from one or more of top surface 64, bottom surface 66, and end surfaces 68 of flexible holder 16. In one example, stop members 62 are dome or bulge shaped. Stop members 62 are positioned to cooperate with coupling members 28 to prevent longitudinal sliding of flexible holder 16 to an extent that would result in its disengagement from handle 14. Stop members 62 also help flexible holder 16 maintain its centered position with respect to coupling members 28 as flexible holder 16 transitions between lengthwise compressed state 40 and partly relaxed state 42. For example, stop members 62 may be positioned on top surface 64 and located proximal to and inward from convex segments 32 to prevent substantial longitudinal sliding of flexible holder 16. Portions of flexible holder 16 in its centered position constitute flexible wings 70 that are of substantially equal lengths 72 and extend in opposite directions outwardly from coupling members 28.

In partly relaxed state 42, lengthwise profile 44 of flexible holder 16 assumes a curved shape that follows shoulder line profile 54 of T-shirt 12. A length 74 of flexible holder 16 is selected to allow its flexible wings 70 to span beyond coupling members 28 a distance that enables T-shirt 12 to hang on flexible holder 16 in partly relaxed state 42. For example, in partly relaxed state 42, flexible holder 16 follows shoulder line profile 54 of T-shirt 12, and rounded holder ends 50 contact end-of-shoulder seams 76 of T-shirt 12 to thereby prevent flexible holder 16 from forming unsightly hanger bulges or other deformities along shoulder line profile 54 of T-shirt 12. The distances between end-of-shoulder seams 76 of T-shirts 12 in sizes ranging from infant size to extra large size specify a range of typical lengths 74 of flexible holder 16.

Cross-sectional profile 38 of flexible holder 16 is preferably of meniscus shape with rounded (i.e., soft edged) end surfaces 68 as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Cross-sectional profile 38 is configured to achieve buckle-free bending of flexible holder 16 when it is in a lengthwise break-free state 78, which is described below with reference to FIGS. 11D and 13. In one example, flexible holder 16 has a width 80 of about 20 millimeters (mm) and a height 82 of about 5.5 mm.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C show flexible holder 16 embodied in three alternative longitudinal cross-sectional profiles. FIG. 9A, which depicts flexible holder 16 assembled with handle 14, shows flexible holder 16 having along its length 74 a uniform longitudinal cross-sectional profile 84. FIG. 9B shows flexible holder 16 having a nonuniform longitudinal cross-sectional profile 86, in which a center portion 88 extending between distal ends 28 of handle 14 tapers inwardly from stop members 62 and thereby facilitates bending of flexible holder 16 in lengthwise compressed state 40. FIG. 9C shows flexible holder 16 having a nonuniform longitudinal cross-sectional profile 90, in which wings 70 taper along lengths 72 in an outward direction toward holder ends 50 to thereby provide strength for flexible holder 16 at center portion 88 and to allow wings 70 to easily flex downward when T-shirt 12 is being removed.

Operation of hanger assembly 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 12, 13, and 14, in which FIG. 10 depicts hanger assembly 10 preparatory to a user applying an upwardly directed compressive force to center portion 88 of flexible holder 16. FIGS. 11A-11E illustrate a sequence of five operational states of hanger assembly 10.

To insert hanger assembly 10 into an interior 94 of T-shirt 12, the user takes hanger assembly 10 in its partly relaxed state (FIG. 11A). The user squeezes his hand around handle 14 and flexible holder 16 and applies an upwardly directed compressive force to center portion 88 of flexible holder 16 to transition it from partly relaxed state 42 to lengthwise compressed state 40 (FIG. 11B). The compressive force causes flexible holder 16 to bend upward at center portion 88 and to slide relative to coupling members 28. FIG. 12 shows the bending of flexible holder 16 and the complementary shapes of apertures 30 and flexible holder 16 in lengthwise compressed state 40. In lengthwise compressed state 40, holder ends 50 are brought closer together, as shown in FIGS. 11B and 12, to enable insertion of them through neck opening 52 of T-shirt 12 to its interior 94 without substantially stretching neck opening 52.

After the user inserts holder ends 50 in interior 94 of T-shirt 12, the user releases the compressive force to transition flexible holder 16 from lengthwise compressed state 40 back to partly relaxed state 42. When the user releases the compressive force, center portion 88 of flexible holder 16 relaxes downward, flexible holder 16 slides relative to coupling members 28, and holder ends 50 spread apart to allow T-shirt 12 to hang on wings 70 of flexible holder 16 (FIG. 11C). As previously described, the shape and configuration of holder carrier portion 20 prevents flexible holder 16 from becoming stuck in lengthwise compressed state 40 after the user releases the compressive force. The weight of T-shirt 12 causes wings 70 to substantially conform to shoulder line profile 54 of T-shirt 12 as it hangs.

To remove T-shirt 12 from hanger assembly 10, the user pulls down on T-shirt 12 (e.g., applies a garment removal force) and wings 70 bend downward (e.g., fold at regions 96 near coupling members 28) to transition flexible holder 16 from partly relaxed state 42 to break-free state 78. Cross-sectional profile 38 establishes a break away bending collapse of wings 70 so that, after such collapse takes place, minimal user-applied pulling force to T-shirt 12 is required to bring holder ends 50 closer together to allow T-shirt 12 to slide off wings 70 through neck opening 52 (FIG. 11D). Preferably, top surface 64 of flexible holder 16 is relatively smooth to allow T-shirt 12 to easily slide off wings 70 when the user pulls down on T-shirt 12. The break away bending collapse occurring in break-free state 78 causes wings 70 to bend down and rounded holder ends 50 converge toward each other by an appreciable amount and thereby results in no appreciable stretching of neck opening 52 when T-shirt 12 is being removed. FIG. 13 shows the break away bending collapse and the complementary shapes of apertures 30 and flexible holder 16 in break-free state 78. Once T-shirt 12 is pulled off wings 70, flexible holder 16 returns to partly relaxed state 42 (FIG. 11E).

FIG. 14 shows enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional views of hanger assembly 10, illustrating its flexible holder 16 with solid lines in partly relaxed state 42 of FIGS. 11A and 11B, with phantom lines in longitudinal compressed state 40 of FIGS. 11B and 12, and with phantom lines in break-free state 78 of FIGS. 11D and 13.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are respective side elevation and perspective views of a hanger assembly 100 that includes a handle 114 and either one of alternative flexible holders 116 ₁ and 116 ₂ (collectively, flexible holders 116), according to a second embodiment. (Flexible holder 116 ₁ is shown in FIG. 16.) The design, construction, and operation of hanger assemblies 10 and 100 are the same, except as otherwise described below. Corresponding components of hanger assemblies 10 and 100 are indicated by the same reference numerals.

Support arms 24 include at their respective distal ends 26 opposed coupling members 28 that allow flexible holder 116 to be joined with and slide relative to handle 114. FIG. 17 shows coupling members 28 in the form of opposed flexible T-shaped hooks that are configured to fit within and slide along corresponding slots 130 in flexible holder 116 and thereby allow it to move relative to support arms 24 to achieve operational coupling for slidable engagement with coupling members 28. Each T-shaped hook includes a hat section 132 and a stem 134 that functions as a living hinge that is rotatable about its longitudinal axis 136 and is deflectable back and forth along an arc 138, i.e., inwardly and outwardly of center region 22 of holder carrier portion 20. The T-shaped hook is made from flexible material, such as polypropylene, exhibiting resilience that restores the T-shaped hook to its nominal position shown when an externally applied bending or twisting force is removed. The T-shaped hooks can optionally be co-molded as part of or bonded to support arms 24.

Handle 114 and flexible holder 116 are joined together by a user aligning one of hat sections 132 with and inserting that hat section 132 into one of slots 130 in flexible holder 116, rotating handle 114 relative to flexible holder 116 such that its open slot 130 spatially overlaps the other, free hat section 132, and twisting that hat section 132 90° about its longitudinal axis 136 for alignment with and insertion into the open slot 130.

Coupling members 28 secure flexible holder 116 in place with use of T-shaped hooks fitted into two slots 130, thereby eliminating use of stop members 62 formed on flexible holder 16 of hanger assembly 10.

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D show various profiles of first alternative flexible holder 116 ₁. FIG. 18A is a top plan view showing placement of a central longitudinal groove 150 between slots 130. FIG. 18D shows the transverse cross-sectional profile of flexible holder 116, including a magnified view showing the depth of groove 150. Groove 150 provides a buckle-free bending feature that promotes formation of an even arc as flexible holder 116 ₁ folds inwardly in response to a user squeezing his hand around handle 114 and flexible holder 116 ₁ to set it in lengthwise compressed state 40, as shown in FIGS. 11 B and 21. FIG. 18C shows a longitudinal cross-sectional profile of flexible holder 116 ₁; the construction of its center portion 188 ₁ is described below with reference to FIG. 19C.

FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, and 19D show various profiles of second alternative flexible holder 116 ₂. FIG. 19A is a top plan view showing placement of two longitudinal grooves 150 on either side of the central longitudinal axis of flexible holder 116 ₂. FIG. 19D shows the transverse cross-sectional profile of flexible holder 116 ₂ including a magnified view showing the depths of grooves 150. Grooves 150 provide an alternative anti-buckle features as described above with reference to flexible holder 116 ₁. FIG. 19D shows a longitudinal cross-sectional profile of flexible holder 116 ₂, including a magnified view of a center portion 188 ₂ having a nonuniform longitudinal cross-sectional profile that is thicker in the middle portion and is thinner toward rest condition stops 190 of slots 130. The thicker middle portion provides greater stiffness that affords an arc exhibiting an even curvature under a sharp bending condition resulting from a user applying a point force (e.g., one finger) to squeeze flexible holder 116 ₂ to insert it into the neck opening of a pullover garment, as depicted in FIGS. 11B and 21. This profile of center portion 188 ₂ is also implemented in center portion 188 ₁ (FIG. 18C).

Determining the overall thickness of center portion 188 ₂ entails compromise of two competing objectives. A thinner center portion 188 ₂ facilitates less user-applied squeezing force to bring together the ends of flexible holder 116 ₂ to insert them into the garment neckline. A thicker center portion 188 ₂ provides greater holding strength to support a pullover garment placed on hanger assembly 100. The use of two grooves 150 in flexible holder 116 ₂ assists in balancing these two objectives, but use of one groove in flexible holder 116 ₁ also assists in this balance with the added aesthetic benefit of collinear alignment of groove 150 and slots 130.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show hanger assembly 100 in, respectively, its partly relaxed state (FIG. 11A) and its lengthwise compressed state (FIG. 11B). FIG. 20 shows hat sections 132 of the T-shaped hook end positioned at rest condition stops 190 of slots 130, and FIG. 21 shows hat sections 132 of the T-shaped hook end positioned at maximum squeeze condition stops 192 of slots 130.

FIGS. 22A, 22B, and 22C show holder carrier portion 20 of either hanger assembly 10 or hanger assembly 100 (hereinafter hanger assembly 10) constructed with a flexible tip 200 joined at a distal end 202 of hook portion 18. Flexible tip 200 provides a restraint that prevents hanger assembly 10 from jumping off a hanger rod 204 as a user pulls down on an open neck garment to remove it, as shown in FIG. 11D. The garment removal step shown in FIG. 11D tends to cause a spring-loaded recoil of hanger assembly 10 that results in dislodgement of hook portion 18 from hanger rod 204 as the garment is released from flexible holder 16. Flexible tip 200 is preferably made from elastomeric material and can be co-molded as part of a holder carrier portion 20 or joined by bonding or other suitable technique to distal end 202 of hook portion 18.

FIG. 22A shows hanger assembly 10 resting on hanger rod 204. An open space 208 between a distal end 206 of flexible tip 200 and the nearer support arm 24 is smaller than the diameter of hanger rod 204 so that hanger assembly 10 with flexible tip 200 in its nominal position cannot slide off of hanger rod 204 in absence of deliberately applied force. FIG. 22B shows flexible tip 200 bending inwardly to enlarge open space 208 in response to contact by hook portion 18 as a user moves hanger assembly 10 in direction 210 to place it on hanger rod 204. Similarly, FIG. 22C shows flexible tip 200 bending outwardly to enlarge open space 208 in response to contact by hook portion 18 as a user moves hanger assembly 10 in direction 212 to remove it from hanger rod 204. Because it is made of resilient material, flexible tip 200 returns to its nominal position and thereby returns open space 208 to the size described with reference to FIG. 22A to retain hanger assembly 10 on hanger rod 204.

FIGS. 23A, 23B, and 23C correspond to the respective FIGS. 22A, 22B, and 22C and are presented to show that a conventional hanger 220 with its hook portion 222 constructed with flexible tip 200 in the manner described above can prevent conventional hanger 220 from jumping off from hanger rod 204 in reaction to garment removal.

FIGS. 24A, 24B, and 24C show holder carrier portion 20 of either hanger assembly 10 or hanger assembly 100 (hereinafter hanger assembly 10) constructed with an opposing restraint 230 on a proximally located support arm 24 of holder carrier portion 20. The thicknesses of opposing restraint 230 and hook portion 18 are selected so that they cooperate to provide sufficient stiffness to prevent hanger assembly 10 from jumping off hanger rod 204 in reaction to garment removal, as described in connection with flexible tip 200.

FIG. 24A shows hanger assembly 10 resting on hanger rod 204. An open space 232 between a distal end 234 of hook portion 18 and opposing restraint 230 is smaller than the diameter of hanger rod 204 so that hanger assembly 10 with opposing restraint 230 in its nominal position cannot slide off of hanger rod 204 in absence of deliberately applied force. FIG. 24B shows hook tip 234 and opposing restraint 230 bending inwardly to enlarge open space 232 in response to contact by hook portion 18 as a user moves hanger assembly 10 in direction 210 to place it on hanger rod 204. Similarly, FIG. 24C shows distal end 234 of hook portion 18 and opposing restraint 230 bending outwardly to enlarge open space 232 in response to contact by hook portion 18 as a user moves hanger assembly 10 in direction 212 to remove it from hanger rod 204.

FIGS. 25A, 25B, and 25C correspond to the respective FIGS. 24A, 24B, and 24C and are presented to show that conventional hanger 220 constructed with opposing restraint 230 in the manner described above can prevent conventional hanger 220 from jumping off of hanger rod 204 in reaction to garment removal.

It will be obvious to skilled persons that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims. 

1. A hanger assembly for hanging a pullover garment from its top, the pullover garment having a neck opening, an interior, and a shoulder line profile, comprising: a handle including a holder carrier portion and a hook portion, the holder carrier portion including first and second rigid support arms having distal ends at which are formed respective first and second opposed coupling members, and the hook portion positioned medially between the first and second coupling members and having a distal end on which is provided a flexible tip to prevent the hanger assembly from jumping off a hanger rod as a user pulls down on the pullover garment to remove it from the hanger assembly; and an elongated flexible holder that, when joined with the handle to form the hanger assembly, is operationally coupled for slidable engagement with the first and second coupling members, the flexible holder having holder ends and a lengthwise profile, a cross-sectional profile, and a length, the lengthwise profile configured to define a bow shape in a rest state, the cross-sectional profile configured to achieve, in response to a holder compressive applied force, bending of the flexible holder in a lengthwise compressed state and thereby bring closer together the holder ends to enable insertion of the holder ends through the neck opening to the interior of the pullover garment, and in response to a garment removal applied force, buckle-free bending of the flexible holder in a lengthwise break-free state and thereby bring closer together the holder ends to enable removal of the holder ends through the neck opening from the interior of the pullover garment, and the length selected to achieve, in response to removal of the holder compressive applied force and a consequent relaxation of the flexible holder from the compressed state to a partly relaxed state, a spreading apart of the holder ends to allow the flexible holder to span beyond each of the first and second coupling members a distance that enables the pullover garment to hang on the flexible holder, with the flexible holder following the shoulder line profile of the pullover garment.
 2. A handle of a hanger assembly for hanging a pullover garment from its top, comprising: a holder carrier portion including first and second support arms having distal ends at which are formed respective first and second opposed coupling members, the first and second opposed coupling members configured to operationally couple to the handle a flexible holder for slidable engagement therewith and to allow the flexible holder to transition between a lengthwise compressed state and a partly relaxed state, the first and second support arms including respective first and second rigid arc sections that establish a curved shape for the holder carrier portion; and a hook portion positioned medially between the first and second coupling members and having a distal end on which is provided a flexible tip to prevent the hanger assembly from jumping off a hanger rod as a user pulls down on the pullover garment to remove it from the hanger assembly. 